SKU: 34155715151

Proto : How One Ancient Language Went Global by Laura Spinney

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Proto : How One Ancient Language Went Global by Laura Spinney'The fascinating story of ancient words ? new revelations await' The Guardian 'A truly extraordinary detective story' Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything One ancient language transformed our world. This is its story. Star. Stjarna. Stare. Thousands of miles apart, people look up at the night sky and use the same word to describe what they see. Listen to these English, Icelandic and Iranic words and you can hear echoes of one of the most

'The fascinating story of ancient words ? new revelations await' The Guardian

'A truly extraordinary detective story' Matt Ridley, author of The Evolution of Everything

One ancient language transformed our world. This is its story.

Star. Stjarna. Stare. Thousands of miles apart, people look up at the night sky and use the same word to describe what they see.

Listen to these English, Icelandic and Iranic words and you can hear echoes of one of the most extraordinary journeys in humanity?s past. All three of these languages ? and hundreds more ? share a single ancient ancestor.

Five millennia ago, in a mysterious Big Bang of its own, this proto tongue exploded, forming new worlds as it spread east and west. Today, nearly half of humanity speaks an Indo-European language. How did this happen?

In Proto, acclaimed journalist Laura Spinney sets off to find out. With her we travel the length of the steppe, navigating the Caucasus, the Silk Roads and the Hindu Kush. We follow in the footsteps of nomads and monks, Amazon warriors and lion kings ? the ancient peoples who spread these tongues far and wide. In the present, Spinney meets the linguists, archaeologists and geneticists racing to recover this lost world. What they have discovered has vital lessons for our modern age, as people and their languages are on the move again.

Proto is a revelatory portrait of world history in its own words.

'Lively and fascinating. I loved it' David Bellos, author of Is That a Fish in your Ear?

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Binding: Hardback,
Pagination: 352 pages
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SKU: 34155715151

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Corey Shore
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Great fit & light weight
Size: Large, Color: Green, Size: Large, Color: Green
I was a little worried this wasn’t going to fit my husband. It looked huge. We ordered a size large, he’s typically a medium fit but he has a broad chest/ shoulders. I’m pleased to say that it was a great fit. I steamed it to release the wrinkles without any issues. Exactly as pictured, nice and light weight. Would definitely recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2025
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Hope A
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Great pirate jacket
Size: Medium, Color: Black
Was purchased for a costume and is nicely done. Material is soft and well sown. Looks good one.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2026
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Ben
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 3
It looks ok??
Size: XX-Large, Color: Black
This is not much of a jacket. It's relatively thin and doesn't block a breeze... That being said, the fit is accurate with the size chart. It's not very expensive, but feels like it should be about half this price
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Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
Great cosplay jacket
Size: Small, Color: Black, Size: Small, Color: Black
I bought a jacket similar to this about 4 years ago and I absolutely hated it. It was cheaply made and so shiny it could blind a nighttime driver. I needed another one because my son out grew the old one. I hated having to buy what I thought would be another cheap jacket but when it came in, I was shocked. Apparently, I bought from a different maker because this jacket was perfect. Well made. Easily ironed out the wrinkles. This turned out to be the perfect jacket for my son. He loved it. I really love it. Very happy with this purchase. Hopefully, I do not have to buy another one but if I do, it will be this brand. I have saved it in my list just in case I do need to order another. It is so nice. Extremely happy with my purchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2025
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Ellen
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Coat is very nice - - I didn't expect it to be as nice as it is!
Size: X-Large, Color: Black
This coat arrived promptly, and I am very pleased with it. Very wrinkled, but it ironed up real nice. My husband is usually in between a Size L and an XL. I ordered an L first and it was too tight, so I returned it and ordered an XL and it was too big, so I would say the sizing is spot-on. I was able to take up the sides enough that it now looks good on him. The fabric and construction seem sturdy. He is wearing it to an Edgar Allan Poe function, and I think he will look fabulous.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2025

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